Geelong grant-giving organisation to wind up after 13 years

A community grants program that has distributed $2.6 million to local initiatives will close at the end of the year, ending 13 years of support for Geelong organisations.

Geelong Connected Communities (GCC) said it would wind up after fundraising challenges and the demands of running the volunteer-led organisation made it increasingly difficult to sustain.

Since its establishment in 2013, GCC has awarded $2.6 million through 960 grants to about 300 community groups and clubs.

GCC chair, Paul Gray, said supporting volunteers had always been at the heart of the organisation’s mission.

“Participation in community, particularly through volunteering, is a social glue that GCC has believed in and supported since inception,” he said.

“Financial support for volunteers remains a critical part of sustaining our Geelong community, and we are proud of the impact our organisation has had in this area.

More than 50 local businesses and organisations have provided annual financial support for the grants program, with more than 87 per cent of GCC’s revenue distributed directly to grant recipients.

Originally established by Pat Murnane as a volunteer-driven grant-making organisation aligned with Bendigo Bank’s community model, GCC later expanded its funding base to include partners such as Beyond Bank while maintaining its focus on small volunteer-run groups.

Gray said he hoped governments and other funding bodies would continue supporting the sector.

“We encourage government and other funding organisation to continue the support for this important section of our community,” he said.

GCC will complete its remaining funding programs this year, distributing the balance of its partner funding before winding up in December.

Partners, board members and supporters will gather later this year to celebrate the organisation’s 13 years of operation.